What Can I Use on the Ground Outside My RV or Tent?
Anytime you are camping in the great outdoors, one of the biggest challenges is keeping the inside areas clean.
Whether you are camping in an RV, van, or tent, dirt always seems to find its way inside.
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Large plastic outdoor rugs are one of the best ways to stop dirt and sand from getting inside an RV or tent. They also make the patio area a lot nicer.
If you have one that’s large enough for the entire patio/under awning area, it creates a clean outdoor living space you can comfortably walk around on.
Outdoor rugs, also called RV patio mats, are made of woven plastic that is weatherproof, easy to clean, lightweight, and super durable.
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They are perfect for putting under an RV awning or a shade tent. They can be put under tents on to protect the thin fabric floor and make it softer.
No matter what your outdoor use is plastic rugs and mats are amazing and a must-have for any kind of camper.
Summary (links to Amazon)
- Top Rated: Stylish Camping RV Patio Mats
- Eco Option: Fab Habitat Recycled Plastic Rugs
- Most Pattern Options: BalajeeseUSA Outdoor Recycled Plastic Rugs
Top Rated
Biggest Brand Name
Recycled Materials
Most Patterns
Stakes Included
Last update on 2023-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Outdoor Rugs for RV Patios Reviews
Top Rated
1. Stylish Camping RV Patio Mats
Stylish Camping makes some of the highest rated and most popular outdoor rugs on the market today.
The company offers tons of pattern, color, and size options and durability that is perfect for rocky campsites.
There are four different colors and size options in this pattern, which is the most popular with RVers, including us.
I think the longer sizes are better for RV patio mats, because the more area you have to walk around without having to get your feet dirty, the cleaner your living space will be.
They make all of their rugs with woven 100% virgin polypropylene material and coated in UV resistant material to stop fading and damage from the sun,
The outdoor rugs made by Stylish Camping are reversible.
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You can clean plastic rugs easily by sweeping, shaking, or even spraying them with water. Stylish Camping advertises its rugs to be breathable enough to not damage grass.
Even the largest rug is super lightweight, weighing only 11 lbs. And they come with a compact carry bag.
On each corner, there are straps for ground stakes you can use to secure it to the ground.
Woven plastic rugs love to fly away in the wind. I suggest always having it staked down for this reason.
You can use tent stakes or outdoor rug stakes like these (click to view on Amazon).
If you trust other RVers and campers, then the Stylish Camping RV Patio Mats are the best way to go. They are highly rated and so far we’ve been very happy with ours.
PROS
- Ultra-Durable
- Easy To Clean
- Lots of Size & Pattern Options
- Rug Stakes Available
- Lightweight
- Packs Down to a Small Size
- Carry Bag Included
CONS
- Darker Colors Don’t Hold Up As Well Against Sun
- Hard To Get Fold Creases Out
- Thin
Biggest Brand Name
2. Camco RV Awning Leisure Mats
If you are a camper, you know the name Camco. It’s the company that makes a wide variety of outdoor gear for RVing and general camping.
Naturally, they have some great choices of outdoor rugs to use for an RV patio or under a tent.
Camco makes its outdoor camping mats with a woven plastic material that is very lightweight and easy to fold up and pack away.
It’s mildew, UV, and fade resistant and breathable. It can dry fast and will not trap water.
There are loops on each corner for rug stakes. Every rug is reversible.
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There are other popular patterns and colors available in the 9 feet wide by 12 feet long size. (click to view on Amazon)
There is a 8 feet wide by 20 feet long version that comes in four colors and a botanical pattern. (click to view on Amazon)
The Camco RV Awning Leisure Mats are great woven plastic outdoor rugs that are perfect for RVs, travel trailers, vans, tents, picnics, patios, and much more.
They have lots of different size options and the Camco quality guarantee.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Ultra-Durable
- Easy To Clean
- Packs Down to a Small Size
- Lots of Pattern & Size Options
CONS
- Hard To Get Fold Creases Out
- Thin
- Not As UV Resistant As Other Brands
Made of Recycled Materials
3. Fab Habitat Recycled Plastic Rugs
Fab Habitat outdoor/indoor reversible mats are the premium version of woven plastic mats. People even use them indoors.
The largest size you can buy is 8 feet wide and 10 feet long and they are the most durable rug in this review.
Made with 100% premium recycled plastic that’s woven tightly with thick plastic straws that are strong but easy on the feet to walk on.
The material is mold, mildew, fade, and UV resistant. You can leave them outdoors as long as you want and they will hold up against the elements.
The weave is tight, but they still breathe and dry quick. They aren’t as grass friendly as other looser woven rugs. I wouldn’t recommend leaving them on the lawn for more than a few days.
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These outdoor rugs are reversible and very easy to clean. Much like other woven plastic rugs, all you need to do is sweep them off, shake them out, or hose them down.
The Fab Habitat recycled plastic mats come in various shapes and patterns and are heavy for their size because of the amount of material used, but still very lightweight.
The largest patio mat only weighs 11 pounds, so they are still very easy to roll up and store in your RV or van.
The only downside is they don’t have corner straps for rug stakes.
You can still poke holes in them for stakes or just place something heavy on the corners instead, but it makes them a little more patio friendly and less for RV and camping use.
The Fab Habitat Recycled Plastic Rugs are fantastic for heavy foot traffic and lots of use.
Fab Habitat makes its rugs to last and can take a beating.
I recommend these for patios and RVers who set up in a campground for weeks at a time and use their RV patio mat all day every day.
PROS
- Heavy Duty
- Made with 100% Recycled Plastic
- Environmentally Friendly
- Great for Indoor & Outdoor Use
- Multiple Size, Color, & Pattern Options
- Round Outdoor Rugs Available
- Easy To Get Crease Out Of
CONS
- Heavy
- No Straps For Stakes
Most Patterns & Color Options
4. BalajeeseUSA Outdoor Recycled Plastic Rugs
BalajeeseUSA outdoor patio and RV mats have some fantastic colorful patterns and designs that are reversible and come in sizes ranging from 5 feet wide and 7 feet long to 9 feet wide and 12 feet long.
The rugs are woven with plastic straws that are UV treated to protect against sun damage.
The plastic is soft to walk on and breathable so it will dry quickly and is easy to clean.
Just sweep it off, shake it out, or spray it down with a hose. The material is UV, fade, and mildew resistant.
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If you are looking for fun, colorful prints to display on your patio or outside your camper or tent, then BalajeeseUSA Outdoor Recycled Plastic Rugs are going to be a fantastic choice.
The only downside is they don’t come with rug stake loops on the corners, so you will need to use a weight or poke holes yourself.
PROS
- Lots of Sizes, Color, & Pattern Options
- Lightweight
- Easy to Fold & Store
- Durable
CONS
- No Straps For Stakes
- Hard To Get Creases Out
Up-and-Coming
5. Sand Mine Plastic Rugs For RV & Patio
Sand Mine outdoor patio & RV mats are a well made high quality 100% woven polypropylene product that is durable and a great way to keep dirt and dust out of your house, RV, or tent.
This black and grey lattice design comes in three size options. 5×8, 9×12, and 9×18 feet.
There are lots of other color options as well to fit any style of camper.
They actually have the most pattern and color options in this review.
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The woven plastic is soft for your feet and has good traction when walking on it.
Clean it easily by sweeping, shaking it out, or spraying it off with a hose.
The weave is breathable, so the plastic rug dries quickly and won’t get ruined when it’s rained on.
Included with purchase are four steel rug stakes and a carry bag.
It’s very easy to fold up and very lightweight, only 11.5 lbs.
The Sand Mine Plastic Rugs For RV & Patio are simple, straightforward outdoor mats.
There are holes in each corner for stakes and they are perfect for camping or the backyard patio.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Easy to Fold & Store
- Durable
- Easy to Clean
- Comes with Stakes
- Comes with a Storage Bag
CONS
- Hard To Get Creases Out Of
- Thin
What To Look For In An Outdoor Rug
Tight Weave
They make outdoor rugs with plastic straws that are woven together to form a durable but lightweight mat.
A tightly woven rug will hold up better against furniture and walking on them, but they are going to be heavier, won’t dry as fast, and will definitely kill any grass you set in on in a matter of days.
Depending on what you want to use it for looking at the weave might help you a lot. For camping and general outdoor uses, a looser weave will be better.
For patio use, a tighter woven rug is going to sit better and last longer.
Eco-Friendly Materials
They make most of the RV patio mats in this review with new plastic, but there’s one that uses recycled plastic.
The plastic rug you get is totally up to you, but oddly enough, the one made with recycled material seems to be the thickest and more durable.
Reversible
Pretty much all outdoor rugs and RV patio mats are reversible by design, but some look better when flipped over than others.
For instance, one with words on it might have reversed lettering when flipped over unless it’s made with two mats put together.
If you want your RV or patio mat to be a part of the decor of your outdoor area, plan on only using the side that looks the best.
Thickness
Much like the tightness of the weave, the thickness of an outdoor rug will affect durability. Naturally thicker mats are better for furniture and home patio use.
They also don’t crease as easily as the thinner RV mats and look nicer when laid out.
Most outdoor RV patio mats are very thin. This keeps them lightweight, better for laying across uneven terrain, and fast drying.
It’s both a pro and a con since you want all of those features, but it means the mat will probably show wear much faster than a thicker plastic rug.
My Choice For Best Outdoor Rugs
Best Outdoor Rug – Stylish Camping RV Patio Mats
The company Stylish Camping has so much to offer with all the pattern, size, and color options and the high-quality materials they use.
There’s a style for everyone and they have the ultimate size of an outdoor rug for RVs and travel trailers, which is 9 feet by 18 feet.
All of their outdoor rugs also come with a storage bag, which is important for keeping the area you store it in clean and dirt free.
Each corner has a loop, so you don’t have to poke any holes to secure it to the ground.
Taking all that into account for RVing and camping, you can’t go wrong with Stylish Camping outdoor rugs.
Best RV Patio Rug that Also Works At Home – Fab Habitat Outdoor Reversible Rugs
Fab Habitat has some very impressive plastic outdoor rugs that are made very well.
The tight weave makes them ultra-durable and at first glance, they don’t even look like they’re made of plastic.
Not to mention the 100% recycled plastic that is more environmentally friendly.
If you are fine with a smaller rug for outside your RV or travel trailer, I would give Fab Habitat the “best overall” rating, but its largest size is only 8 feet by 10 feet.
The smaller size is perfect for a patio at home or even a tent, but not big enough for my own travel trailer.
It’s an outdoor patio mat that is woven to withstand all the elements and you can leave it outside all summer long without worry.
And it’s even nice enough and lays down well enough to use inside as well.
All-in-all, it’s a fantastic outdoor rug and an excellent buy for anyone looking for a patio mat that is waterproof and very easy to clean.
Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Rugs
How to keep an RV patio mat from blowing away.
Rug stakes are a fantastic way to keep lightweight plastic rugs from blowing away.
They are low profile and you won’t trip on them in the dark. (click to view on Amazon)
The downside to rug stakes is they can be hard to place in rocky areas and they often take a lot of work to pull back up.
If you aren’t a fan of stakes, you can also use rocks or weights to hold down your RV patio mat.
One of the best ideas I’ve seen was bowling balls cut in half. There were holes drilled in the center and the owners had placed solar lanterns in them.
They were heavy enough to keep the outdoor camping rug down, and they were easy to see at night because of the solar lanterns. and the different colors of the bowling balls were fun as well.
You could get rock lights like these (click to view on Amazon) but they may not be heavy enough to keep a large RV patio mat down in high winds.
They look very cool on the edges of outdoor rugs.
Can I put an outdoor rug on grass?
Many of the companies that make outdoor rugs claim their rugs are safe for grass because of the loose breathable weave.
That may be true for a few days, but I don’t recommend leaving an outdoor rug on grass for too long.
Especially when you set things down on the rug, like tables and chairs.
Answering the question; yes, you can put a loose woven plastic rug on grass for a few days, but any longer than that will risk killing it.
What is an RV patio mat?
An RV patio mat is a large area rug or mat that sits outside the entrance of an RV or travel trailer.
Made with woven plastic, these types of rugs are durable and very lightweight. They are also weatherproof and soft.
RV patio mats are great for more than just RV owners. You can use them to make a large clean area outside a tent.
Place them on your patio at home for a soft clean place to walk, and even use them for picnics.
How do you clean an outdoor rug?
The easiest way to clean them is to sweep them with a broom. If it’s made with woven plastic, you can also spray it off with a hose.
A good shake also gets rid of sand and dirt.
Can an outdoor rug get rained on?
Yes, a true outdoor rug will be water-resistant and durable enough to hold up against the rain.
Woven plastic outdoor camping mats are extremely durable against the rain, but even most outdoor jute patio rugs can withstand weather.
Can you pressure wash outdoor rugs?
A tightly woven plastic rug can take being cleaned by a pressure washer a few times, but I don’t recommend using very high pressures.
Most outdoor rugs get made with thin plastic straws and a high-pressure washer could damage them.
A hose with a sprayer nozzle on it is the best, safest way to wash off an outdoor rug.
Can you put an outdoor rug on dirt?
Yes, you can. In fact, putting outdoor rugs on dirt is what they are best for.
Placing a large outdoor rug outside of your travel trailer, RV, van, or home is a fantastic way to stop dirt from being tracked in.
Have any more questions about outdoor rugs and RV patio mats? Leave a comment below.
